Maya Ellison
Plastic lacing is a fun and creative craft that can be used to make a variety of items such as keychains, bracelets, lanyards, and zipper pulls. The process involves weaving together plastic laces of different colours to create intricate patterns and designs. To start off, you'll need to gather your supplies, including plastic lacing in your desired colours and any accessories for the finished product, such as clasps or keyrings. Then, you can begin by cutting your plastic lacing to the appropriate length, usually about 48 inches for longer crafts, and finding the centre of each lace. From there, you can follow various techniques to create different shapes and patterns, such as squares or spirals, by folding, weaving, and pulling the laces tightly to form secure knots. With practice and experimentation, you can create unique and functional pieces of art using plastic lacing.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Materials | Plastic lacing, paracord, thick/tube-like yarn, scissors, pliers, clasp or keyring |
| Length | For longer crafts, start with lengthy strands (e.g. 48 inches) |
| Basic technique | Find the centre of each lace, thread the accessory, and weave |
| Square shape | Fold laces over, thread others through, pull ends firmly to create a square |
| Spiral shape | Keep 'spinning' laces in the same direction |
| Finishing | Avoid bulky knots, leave 4-inch uneven ends, weave, and pull tight |
| Advanced techniques | 4-strand, 6-strand, intricate patterns, beads, pom-poms |
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What You'll Learn
Choose your colours
Choosing the colours for your plastic lacing craft is an important step. You can opt for a simple design with two colours, or go for a more vibrant array of colours.
If you are a beginner, it is recommended to start with two different colours, as it is easier to distinguish between them when weaving. Contrasting colours work well together and can create interesting patterns. For example, you could choose yellow and red, or any other two colours that you like.
You can also experiment with more colours as you become more familiar with the technique. For instance, you could try using neon colours, or a combination of bright and glitter colours. If you want to create a more subtle design, you could opt for clear or primary colours.
Additionally, consider the length of your lace pieces. For a two-colour design, each lace piece should be at least 18 inches or 46 cm long. If you are using multiple colours, you might need longer strands, but keep in mind that longer strands can be more difficult to manage. Try to get your strands as close in length as possible.
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Cut the laces
Cutting plastic laces requires a bit of preparation and the right tools. It is important to have sharp scissors to minimize fraying when cutting the laces. Here is a step-by-step guide to cutting plastic laces:
Mark the laces:
Before cutting, it is important to mark the laces at the desired length. Trying on the shoes can help determine how much excess lace needs to be cut off. Mark the laces with a pen or a ruler to indicate the amount to be removed.
Use sharp household scissors to cut the laces at the marked spots. Ensure that the cuts are straight and clean to prevent fraying. Cut both ends of the lace evenly to maintain symmetry.
Finish the ends:
To create a neat finish, consider using adhesive tape or glue. Wrap adhesive tape around the ends of the laces, forming a sturdy tip. Alternatively, apply a small amount of instant glue to the cut ends and allow it to dry.
Attach accessories:
If desired, attach accessories such as a clasp or keyring to the laces. This can be done by weaving the laces through the accessory or attaching it with a knot.
Practice on longer strands:
When starting, it is recommended to practice on longer strands of plastic lacing. Longer strands provide more room for error and allow for easier management when cutting and weaving.
Crafting with plastic lacing is an enjoyable and creative process. With the right tools and techniques, cutting plastic laces can be a straightforward task, allowing you to create unique and personalized projects.
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Find the centre of each lace
To start off plastic lacing, you must first find the centre of each lace. This is an important step as it ensures that your lacing is symmetrical and even. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you find the centre of your plastic laces:
Step 1: Cut one string of each colour that you plan to use. If you are using two colours, cut one string of each. You can also use multiple strings of the same colour if you want a more subtle effect.
Step 2: Lay the strings on a flat surface and place the centre of each string over the other to form a plus sign. Make sure that the strings are crossing in the middle, creating four equal sections.
Step 3: Adjust the strings so that they are all the same length radiating out from the centre. You can do this by gently tugging on each end of the string until you have created a balanced plus sign.
Step 4: Check that the centre point of each string is still aligned. The spot where the strings intersect is the centre of your lacing. This will be your starting point for the next steps of your plastic lacing craft.
Step 5: Once you have found the centre of each lace, you can begin the weaving process. There are many different weaving techniques you can use, such as the two-strand method or the square stitch.
Remember, finding the centre of each lace is crucial to ensuring that your plastic lacing craft turns out evenly and symmetrically. Taking the time to carefully measure and adjust your strings will pay off in the final look of your project.
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Weave the laces
Plastic lacing is a simple, customizable craft that can keep children occupied and provide a relaxing activity for adults. The basic two-strand weave is a good starting point for beginners. Here is a step-by-step guide to weaving plastic laces:
Prepare the Laces
To begin, select plastic lacing in your desired colours. The two-strand method is a good choice for beginners, using two different colours to make it easy to distinguish between the strands. Ensure your laces are long enough, as the woven laces will be less than a quarter of their original length. For longer crafts, start with lengthy strands, but be aware that these can be challenging to manage. Aim for a length of around 48 inches.
Find the Centre
Find the centre of each lace and thread your chosen accessory (a clasp or keyring) onto both laces until it sits in the middle. Cross the laces in an 'X' shape underneath the accessory, ensuring they lay flat and remain parallel.
Gently tug on each end until it is snug but not overly tight. You should be forming square 'knots'. Pull the ends firmly and ensure that each time you fold a lace, you thread the other lace through it, so they hold each other securely. Repeat this process, and after a few repetitions, you will see the square shape of your lacing emerge, with each side displaying a different colour.
Create a Spiral (Optional)
If you want to create a spiral shape, continue weaving but turn your ends so they run diagonally across the square instead of straight across. Each time, fold the lace over to the opposite side. Keep 'spinning' the laces in the same direction to maintain the spiral pattern.
Finishing Touches
To finish your craft, you can simply tie a knot close to the base, or carefully melt the bottom of your craft with a flame to fuse the plastic laces together. Adults should handle this method with caution. Alternatively, apply a small bead of hot glue to the base of each end, but be aware that this is a burn hazard and should not be used by children under 13 without supervision.
With these steps, you can create a variety of items, from keychains to zipper pulls and jewellery. Plastic lacing offers endless possibilities for creative expression and functional crafts.
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Finish with a knot or pliers
When you are finishing off your plastic lacing craft, there are a few different methods you can use to secure the plastic lace. One way is to use a flame to carefully melt the bottom of your craft, fusing the plastic laces together. This method should only be done by adults as it is a serious burn hazard. Another way to finish off your plastic lacing is by tying a knot. To do this, tie each strand in a knot as close to the base of the craft as possible. You can also use a small pair of pliers to install a lanyard hook to finish off your plastic lacing craft. This is a good method to use when making keychains.
If you are creating a spiral shape with your plastic lacing, you can keep it in place by applying a small bead of hot glue to the base of each end. This method is also a burn hazard and should be used with caution. Children under 13 should not use hot glue and older children should be supervised.
When you are finishing off your plastic lacing, it is important to keep the lacing tight. Pull on each end of the lacing until it is snug, but not too tight. You can also tug on all sides of the plastic lacing on the lanyard to make it tight when you finish each "lace."
If you are using plastic lacing to create a keychain or zipper pull, you can finish it off by attaching a clasp or keyring. To do this, start by finding the center of each lace. Then, thread the accessory onto both laces until it is in the middle of the lengths of lacing. You can then weave the laces around the clasp or keyring to secure them in place.
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Frequently asked questions
The best way to start off plastic lacing is to cut one string of each colour and lay the centre of each string on top of one another like a plus sign.
Take the string that is on the bottom and loop them over the top like suspenders – one end will be “going one direction” and the other end will be “going the other direction”.
Take one of the ends of the "top" string and lace over one suspender and under the other. Repeat this with the other end of the top string.
Stop weaving when the laces are about 4 inches long, they will be uneven. Do one last weave and don’t pull it tight. Then take each loose lace and wrap it around the lace to its left and then weave it up through the centre of the laces.
